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What is Urgent Care? 3 Smart Tips for Visiting an Urgent Care Clinic

Did you know that there are more than 7,000 urgent care locations throughout the United States?

They are continuing to grow in popularity thanks to their convenience and affordability. They’re also great because they’re a much simpler alternative to the ER.

But if you’ve never been to one before, you may feel a little unsure about going. That’s why we’ve put together this guide outlining 3 smart tips for visiting urgent care.

What is urgent care? In no time, you’ll be an urgent care pro with these tips. Read on to learn more.

1. Know Your Insurance Information

First and foremost, when you go to urgent care, make sure you know your insurance information. Urgent care costs are much more affordable than emergency room visits (averaging around $150 with insurance). But if you don’t have your insurance information, you’re going to end up paying a lot more than that.

Also, make sure that urgent care services are covered by your plans. Most insurance plans do cover urgent care visits, but some don’t. Check out the list of insurances Coastal Urgent Care of Baton Rouge takes before you visit.

Doing this will help you know what to expect in terms of billing, which helps you avoid unexpected surprises.

2. Take Someone with You

Next, if possible, take someone with you to your urgent care visit. If you’ve experienced an accident or are feeling under the weather, you’re often a bit frazzled.

See if you can take a family member, significant other, neighbor, or friend with you. Often it’s helpful if they can drive as well.

For example, what if you’ve cut yourself and need stitches? What if you’ve fallen and need an x-ray done? It will probably be very hard for you to focus on the road.

Of course, if you can’t get someone to go with you, you should still go to the urgent care on your own. The most important thing is that your health is taken care of.

3. Write Things Down

Before you get to the urgent care, it can be helpful to write some things down. Often, when you get in a new situation, it’s easy to forget things.

Writing things down will help you remember everything you need to relay, especially if you’ve experienced an accident and are on edge. First and foremost, write down the details of your symptoms.

Next, think about questions you want to ask the medical professionals. You may want to ask them what you can do to heal, what types of medications you might need, and how long it will take to feel better. That way, you’ll know what to expect moving forward.

This will also help you to remember everything you wanted to ask, and you won’t think of another question once you’re already driving away.

Final Thoughts

There you have it: 3 tips to help your urgent care experience go better. Now you don’t have to wonder what urgent care is any longer.

Are you looking for an urgent care facility in Baton Rouge? Contact us at Coastal Urgent Care of Baton Rouge today!